Registered Nurse Salary

Atlanta vs Brunswick: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Atlanta, GA and Brunswick, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$105,826
$50.88/hr
Brunswick, GA
$87,018
$41.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GABrunswick, GA
Median Salary$105,826$87,018
Hourly Rate$50.88$41.83
Entry Level (P10)$81,626$71,906
25th Percentile$86,881$83,616
75th Percentile$114,451$105,952
Top Earner (P90)$139,251$105,952
Total Employed56,4601,010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($105,826) and Brunswick ($87,018) registered nurse salaries.AtlantaBrunswickMedian Salary$105,826$87,018Entry Level (P10)$81,626$71,906Top Earner (P90)$139,251$105,952US Median $102,730

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brunswick.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Brunswick is $18,808 (21.61%). Atlanta's median is +3.01% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $57,625,Brunswick spans $34,046. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$81,626
P25$86,881
Median$105,826
P75$114,451
P90 (Top)$139,251
Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$71,906
P25$83,616
Median$87,018
P75$105,952
P90 (Top)$105,952

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($105,765 effective) pays 6.60% more than Brunswick ($99,213 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $105,826
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $105,765
Brunswick
Nominal: $87,018
CoL Index: 87.708
Adjusted: $99,213

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,826/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,251)
  • Larger job market (56,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,765)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Brunswick if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Atlanta grew 37.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 55.0% growth in Brunswick over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+37.6%

$73,010 (2019) → $100,490 (2025)

Brunswick, GA

+55.0%

$53,310 (2019) → $82,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Atlanta or Brunswick?

Atlanta has a higher median registered nurse salary at $105,826/year, compared to Brunswick at $87,018/year — a difference of $18,808 (21.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Brunswick?

Atlanta registered nurses earn $50.88/hr while Brunswick hygienists earn $41.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Brunswick as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Brunswick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $105,765, Brunswick = $99,213), job availability (56,460 vs 1,010 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Atlanta vs Brunswick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $81,626 in Atlanta and $71,906 in Brunswick. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov